Chapter 252: Don't hate the club
"I gained a lot in Banfield, even some loyal fans who called me 'Tractor' because of my abundant physical fitness," said Zanetti, smiling.
Wang Feng smiled knowingly, thinking of those lovely Genk fans. Perhaps they didn't support a top-tier team, but they always found their own joy, beyond just winning or losing.
"In 1995, President Moratti brought me back to Inter Milan. I am truly grateful to him. When I found out that Inter signed me, I was so excited that I went to buy my first suit just to attend the press conference properly," Zanetti said.
Wang Feng, hearing this, felt somewhat nostalgic, recalling his first encounter with Moratti and Zanetti in a hotel years ago. "Wang, you'll be leaving Milan next season, won't you?" Zanetti suddenly remarked.
Wang Feng was somewhat startled as the ball rolled past him. Zanetti chuckled, "Don't be so surprised. I can still guess things like this."
He walked up and patted Wang Feng on the shoulder. "I understand your choice. I just hope you won't leave with resentment towards the club. It would be a pity, because you would be one of the greatest players Inter Milan ever had."
Wang Feng shook his head. "I never had such thoughts. I also love Inter Milan. If possible, I've always wanted to keep playing for her."
"Yeah, Serie A is showing signs of decline. Poor commercial operations, chaotic management, and a lot of murky things that are no longer suitable for talents like you. You need a broader stage," Zanetti said.
"Let's work together one last time to bring the highest honor to Inter Milan!" Zanetti extended his hand, and Wang Feng firmly shook it. "Definitely!"
Afterward, Zanetti began inviting guests to dinner, and Wang Feng, under his warm invitation, tried the so-called "Four Treasures of Argentina" Mate tea, which had a strong bitter taste that wrinkled his brow into a twist.
Seeing Wang Feng's reaction, Zanetti burst into laughter. "Wang, is it really that bad? I find the taste quite good. And Mate tea is quite suitable for athletes. It not only boosts immunity but also enhances endurance and aids digestion. Let me bring some back for you later."
Wang Feng tried a sip but refused to drink more. Seeing Zanetti still promoting it, he could only cover his mouth and shake his head repeatedly. The taste almost made him gag.
Curious, Lu Yao also took a sip, her reaction similar to Wang Feng's. It seemed this thing was indeed unfriendly to those who hadn't tried it before.
After the cheerful banter, the group enjoyed a hearty meal, and Wang Feng bid farewell with Zanetti. Through this exchange, he realized Zanetti's deep affection for Inter Milan. Despite the cruelty of professional football, there would always be warmth, such as Zanetti for Inter Milan, Totti for Roma, Maldini for AC Milan, and so on. This was also part of the charm of football.
In Serie A's second round, Inter Milan faced Palermo away. Palermo is the capital of Sicily, located in the northwest of the island, near the Mediterranean Sea.
Like many Italian football clubs, Palermo has a long history. Founded 105 years ago, they once competed in Serie A in the 1970s and reached the finals of the Coppa Italia three times.
However, due to Sicily's relatively small size, they quickly declined and dropped to Serie B. In 2002, the astute Italian Zamparini took over the club. His reforms and signings revitalized the team.
In 2004, Palermo returned to Serie A and successfully avoided relegation last season, indicating their capability.
With a capacity of 36,000, the Renzo Barbera Stadium was sixty percent full, a decent number considering Sicily's total population.
The home fans cheered incessantly for their team, but the gap in strength couldn't be bridged by mere cheering. In the first half, Wang Feng received the ball with his back to the goal, executed a brilliant turn with a chip pass into the box, assisting Ribery's goal.
In the second half, Pisaro dribbled down the flank and crossed into the box, where Adriano scored for the visitors again, sealing Inter Milan's clean 2-0 victory.
After the match, Palermo's fans didn't turn angry but rather stood up to applaud the players' performance. It was evident that the football atmosphere here was very harmonious.
Midweek, the UEFA Champions League group stage ignited, and Inter Milan traveled to Slovakia to challenge Atme?ia. The top Slovak league comprises only 12 teams, with the champion earning a Champions League qualification spot, starting from the first round.
Atme?ia started their Champions League journey from July 12th. They eliminated Kairat from the Kazakh Premier League in the first round, Shelbourne from the Irish Premier Division in the second round, and Anorthosis from the Cypriot First Division in the third round, successfully entering the group stage!
This was also the first time a Slovak team had reached the Champions League group stage, causing great excitement among fans nationwide. What made them even happier was the draw. Apart from Inter Milan, they had a chance against Porto and Glasgow Rangers.
Making it to the Champions League round of 16 for the first time, creating history for the team, seemed not impossible! The 12,000-capacity Basaka Stadium was fully packed. Although knowing the home team was unlikely to win, seeing world-renowned stars made it worth the ticket price.
As Inter Milan's team entered the stadium, they immediately drew cheers from the fans in the stands, leaving the visiting players puzzled. Ribery whispered, "Boss, why are these fans cheering for us? It feels like we're playing at home."
Wang Feng shook his head. He wasn't sure what the fans were thinking, but the European football market was indeed bustling. A Central European country with only about five million people could have so many passionate fans.
It's worth mentioning that the Slovak national team has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup.
There were no upsets in the match result. Wang Feng scored twice, and through a corner kick, he assisted Materazzi in scoring another goal. He was substituted off after 60 minutes.
Substitute Martins scored again in the final moments, sealing Atme?ia's fate with a final score of 4-0.
In Serie A's third round, Inter Milan welcomed Lecce at home. Wang Feng scored two goals again, and Pisaro added another, helping the team secure a 3-0 victory.
In the fourth round of Serie A, Inter Milan faced Chievo away and encountered their first setback since the start of the league. To be fair, the referee's decisions were much better under the pressure of Inter Milan's management and public opinion compared to the previous two seasons.
Thirty-year-old Cordoba, twenty-nine-year-old Zambrotta, and thirty-three-year-old Materazzi, the passage of time had weakened the once solid defense.
Although Wang Feng contributed with a goal and an assist, Cordoba missed two defensive marks, leading to a 2-2 draw.
After four rounds, Juventus and AC Milan both had four consecutive wins, occupying the top two spots in the standings, while Inter Milan ranked third with three wins, one draw, and a better goal difference.
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